The growing interest in women's spirituality has led to a renewed focus upon
the Therigatha, the Verses of the Elder Nuns, as the oldest existing
testament to the feminine experience of Buddhism. Despite this recent
attention to the Therigatha, however, it seems that all but a few scholarly
commentators have overlooked a short chapter in the Samyutta Nikaya that
serves as an important supplement to the larger work. This is the
Bhikkhuni-samyutta, Chapter 5 of the Sagathavagga-samyutta, the Connected
Discourses with Verses, Volume I of the Samyutta Nikaya.
The Bhikkhuni-samyutta is a compilation of ten short suttas in mixed prose
and verse, with a total of thirty-seven verses. Though several of these
verses have parallels in the Therigatha (mentioned in the notes), a
significant number don't, and often the variations in roughly parallel
versions are themselves of intrinsic interest. At least one nun in the
Bhikkhuni-samyutta, Vajira, does not appear in the Therigatha, while the
case of another nun, Sela, is problematic. A comparison between the two
collections also brings to light some noteworthy differences in the
ascription of authorship; in one case -- that of the three Cala sisters -- a
three-way shuffling of ascriptions occurs. Such differences can be readily
understood once we realize that the texts were originally transmitted orally
for several centuries and thus were contingent on less durable factors than
paper and ink. Since the Samyutta Nikaya and the Therigatha were evidently
transmitted by different lines of reciters, it was only too easy for verses
to break off from their original narrative setting and merge with a
different background story connecting them to a different author.
The antiquity of this collection is attested to by the fact that it has a
counterpart in the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit Samyuktagama, which
probably belonged to the Sarvastivada school. Anesaki's The Four Buddhist
Agamas in Chinese gives a breakdown of the Chinese equivalent of the
Bhikkhuni-samyutta, and though the order of suttas is different, the ten
titles are almost identical, except that the Pali Sela Sutta is there
entitled Viri (or Vira). This is strong evidence that the entire chapter had
taken shape before the Pali and Sarvastivada schools went their separate
ways.
All the ten suttas are constructed according to the same pattern, a direct
confrontation between Mara the Evil One, the Lord of Sensuality, and an
individual nun. This structure perhaps accounts for the placement of the
Bhikkhuni-samyutta immediately after the Mara-samyutta, in which the Evil
One is shown trying to distract the Buddha and the monks. In each sutta of
our collection a nun goes off by herself to pass the day in solitary
meditation. Then Mara approaches her with a challenge -- a provocative
question or a taunt -- intending to make her fall away from concentration.
What Mara has failed to realize is that each of these nuns is an arahant and
has seen so deeply into the truth of the Dhamma that she is utterly
inaccessible to his wiles. Far from being flustered by Mara's challenge, the
nun promptly guesses the identity of her adversary and overturns his
challenge with a sharp reply. Once Mara realizes that his number has been
called he has no choice but to vanish on the spot, "sad and disappointed."
In a dialogue that brings together the Lord of Sensuality with a solitary
nun one might expect each of Mara's overtures to be aimed at sexual
seduction. This, however, is so only in several suttas. The actual themes of
the discourses vary and expose us to a broad range of perspectives on the
attitudes and insights of the renunciant life. The contrast between the
allurement and misery of sensual pleasures is the theme of §§ 1, 4, and 5.
In §1, Mara does not himself attempt to seduce the nun but only urges her to
enjoy sense pleasures before her time runs out; in §4 he assumes the guise
of a handsome youth who lavishes his seductive charms on the beautiful
Vijaya; and in §5 he almost threatens to rape the nun Uppalavanna, who had
actually been raped soon after her ordination by an infatuated youth. In all
three cases the nuns sharply rebuke Mara with verses that reveal their utter
indifference to his solicitations.
In §3, Mara approaches Kisagotami, the heroine of the well-known parable of
the mustard seed, trying to arouse her maternal instincts to beget another
son. His challenge thus touches on sensuality only indirectly. His primary
appeal is aimed at awakening the feminine desire for children.
Mara's dialogue with Soma (§2) voices the ancient Indian prejudice that
women are endowed with "mere two-fingered wisdom" (an obscure expression
that tries the ingenuity of the commentators), and thus cannot attain
Nibbana, a goal reserved for males. Soma's rejoinder is a forceful reminder
that enlightenment does not depend on gender but on the mind's capacity for
concentration and wisdom, qualities accessible to any human being who
earnestly seeks to penetrate the truth.
In §§6, 7, and 8 we meet the three Cala sisters, the younger sisters of the
Venerable Sariputta. From these three nuns Mara tries to elicit,
respectively, an affirmation of birth (i.e. of life in general), of rebirth
in the heavenly realms, and of heretical views. In each case the nun replies
with appropriate verses exposing the dangers in birth, in the entire triple
world, and in the systems of the non-Buddhist thinkers.
The last two suttas are philosophical masterpieces, compressing into a few
tight stanzas insights of enormous depth and wide implications. Full
appreciation of their richness and power would require extensive
acquaintance with the whole corpus of early Buddhist texts, particularly the
Samyutta Nikaya chapters on dependent origination (No. 12) and the five
aggregates (No. 22). In §9, Mara challenges Sela with a question on the
origins of personal existence. She replies with a masterly poem that
condenses the whole teaching of dependent origination into three four-line
stanzas, adorned with an illuminating simile. In §10 he poses a similar
problem to Vajira, who answers with a stunning exposition of the teaching of
non-self, illustrating the composite nature of personal identity with the
simile of the chariot. This simile was popularized by the famous
Milindapañha, but Vajira's simpler version has an incisive edge that is
blunted by the bombastic tone of the later work.
Though set against a mythological background in an ancient world whose
customs and norms seem so remote from our own, these poems of the nuns of
old still speak to us today through their sheer simplicity and
uncompromising honesty. They need no ornamentation or artifice to convey
their message but startle us with the clarity of unadorned truth. Emerging
from the depths of indubitable personal realization, crackling with insight,
they point unwaveringly towards the rugged path of renunciation and wisdom
that leads to the end of suffering.
The present translation is based primarily upon the Burmese script
Chatthasangayana edition of the Samyutta Nikaya (Be), though I also
consulted the Sinhala script Buddha Jayanti edition (Ce) and the PTS's Roman
script edition (Ee). Numbers in square brackets are the page numbers of the
PTS edition.

Discourses of the Ancient Nuns
Bhikkhuni-samyutta

(Samyutta Nikaya, Book V)
1. Alavika
[128] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at
Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park.
Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Alavika dressed and, taking bowl and
robe, entered Savatthi for alms.[1] When she had walked for alms in Savatthi
and had returned from her alms round, after her meal she went to the Blind
Men's Grove seeking seclusion.[2]
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in
the bhikkhuni Alavika, desiring to make her fall away from seclusion,
approached her and addressed her in verse:
1. "There is no escape in the world,
So what will you do with seclusion?
Enjoy the delights of sensual pleasure:
Don't be remorseful later!"
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Alavika: "Now who is it that recited the
verse -- a human being or a non-human being?" Then it occurred to her: "This
is Mara the Evil One, who has recited the verse desiring to arouse fear,
trepidation, and terror in me, desiring to make me fall away from
seclusion."
Then the bhikkhuni Alavika, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil One,"
replied to him in verses:
2. "There is an escape in the world
Which I have closely touched with wisdom.
O Evil One, kinsman of the negligent,
You do not know that state.[3]
3. Sensual pleasures are like sword stakes;
The aggregates, their chopping block.
What you call sensual delight
Has become for me non-delight."[4] [129]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Alavika knows me," sad and
disappointed, disappeared right there.

2. Soma
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Soma dressed and,
taking bowl and robe, entered Savatthi for alms.[5] When she had walked for
alms in Savatthi and had returned from her alms round, after her meal she
went to the Blind Men's Grove for the day's abiding. Having plunged into the
Blind Men's Grove, she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day's abiding.
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in
the bhikkhuni Soma, desiring to make her fall away from concentration,
approached her and addressed her in verse:
4. "That state so hard to achieve
Which is to be attained by the seers,
Can't be attained by a woman
With her two-fingered wisdom."[6]
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Soma: "Now who is this that recited the
verse -- a human being or a non-human being?" Then it occurred to her: "This
is Mara the Evil One, who has recited the verse desiring to arouse fear,
trepidation, and terror in me, desiring to make me fall away from
concentration."
Then the bhikkhuni Soma, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil One,"
replied to him in verses:
5. "What does womanhood matter at all
When the mind is concentrated well,
When knowledge flows on steadily
As one sees correctly into Dhamma.[7]
6. One to whom it might occur,
'I'm a woman' or 'I'm a man'
Or 'I'm anything at all' --
Is fit for Mara to address."[8]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Soma knows me," sad and
disappointed, disappeared right there.

3. Gotami
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Kisagotami dressed
and, taking bowl and robe, entered Savatthi for alms.[9] When she had walked
for alms in Savatthi and had returned from her alms round, [130] after her
meal she went to the Blind Men's Grove for the day's abiding. Having plunged
into the Blind Men's Grove, she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day's
abiding.
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in
the bhikkhuni Kisagotami, desiring to make her fall away from concentration,
approached her and addressed her in verse:
7. "Why now, when your son is dead,
Do you sit alone with tearful face?
Having entered the woods all alone,
Are you on the lookout for a man?"
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Kisagotami: "Now who is this that recited
the verse -- a human being or a non-human being?" Then it occurred to her:
"This is Mara the Evil One, who has recited the verse desiring to arouse
fear, trepidation, and terror in me, desiring to make me fall away from
concentration."
Then the bhikkhuni Kisagotami, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil
One," replied to him in verses:
8. "I've gotten past the death of sons;
With this, the search for men has ended.
I do not sorrow, I do not weep,
Nor do I fear you, friend.[10]
9. Delight everywhere has been destroyed,
The mass of darkness has been sundered.
Having conquered the army of Death,
I dwell without defiling taints."[11]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Kisagotami knows me," sad
and disappointed, disappeared right there.

4. Vijaya
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Vijaya dressed ...
she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day's abiding.[12]
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in
the bhikkhuni Vijaya,
desiring to make her fall away from concentration, approached her and
addressed her in verse: [131]
10. "You are so young and beautiful,
And I too am in the bloom of youth.
Come, noble lady, let us rejoice
With the music of a fivefold ensemble."
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Vijaya: "Now who is this...? This is Mara
the Evil One ... desiring to make me fall away from concentration."
Then the bhikkhuni Vijaya, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil One,"
replied to him in verses:
11. "Forms and sounds, tastes and odours,
Tactile objects that delight the mind:
I offer them right back to you,
For I, O Mara, do not need them.
12. I am repelled and humiliated
By this foul, putrid body,
Subject to break up, fragile:
I've uprooted sensual craving.
13. As to those beings who fare amidst form,
And those who abide in the formless,
And those peaceful attainments too:
Everywhere darkness has been destroyed."[13]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing "The bhikkhuni Vijaya knows me," sad and
disappointed, disappeared right there.

5. Uppalavanna
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Uppalavanna dressed
... she stood at the foot of a sala tree in full flower.[14]
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in
the bhikkhuni Uppalavanna, desiring to make her fall away from
concentration, approached her and addressed her in verse:
14. "Having gone to a sala tree with flowering top,
You stand at its foot all alone, bhikkhuni.
There is none whose beauty can rival your own:
Foolish girl, have you no fear of rogues?"[15]
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Uppalavanna: [132] "Now who is this...?
This is Mara the Evil One ... desiring to make me fall away from
concentration."
Then the bhikkhuni Uppalavanna, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil
One," replied to him in verses:
15. "Though a hundred thousand rogues
Just like you might come here,
I stir not a hair, I feel no terror;
Even alone, Mara, I don't fear you.[16]
16. I can make myself disappear
Or I can enter inside your belly.
I can stand between your eyebrows
Yet you won't catch a glimpse of me.
17. I am the master of my own mind,
The bases of power are well developed;
I am freed from every kind of bondage,
Therefore I don't fear you, friend."[17]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Uppalavanna knows me," sad
and disappointed, disappeared right there.

6. Cala
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Cala dressed ...
she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day's abiding.[18]
Then Mara the Evil One approached the bhikkhuni Cala and said to her: "What
don't you approve of, bhikkhuni?"
"I don't approve of birth, friend."
18. "Why don't you approve of birth?
Once born, one enjoys sensual pleasures.
Who now has persuaded you of this:
'Bhikkhuni, don't approve of birth'?"
19. "For one who is born there is death;
Once born, one encounters sufferings --
Bondage, murder, affliction --
Hence one shouldn't approve of birth.
20. The Buddha has taught the Dhamma,
The transcendence of birth;
For the abandoning of all suffering
He has settled me in the truth. [133]
21. As to those beings who fare amidst form,
And those who abide in the formless --
Not having understood cessation,
They come again to re-becoming."[19]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Cala knows me," sad and
disappointed, disappeared right there.

7. Upacala
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Upacala dressed ...
she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day's abiding.
Then Mara the Evil One approached the bhikkhuni Upacala and said to her:
"Where do you wish to be reborn, bhikkhuni?"
"I do not wish to be reborn anywhere, friend."
22. "There are Tavatimsa and Yama devas,
And devatas of the Tusita realm,
Devas who take delight in creating,
And devas who exercise control.
Direct your mind there
And you'll experience delight."[20]
23. "There are Tavatimsa and Yama devas,
And devatas of the Tusita realm,
Devas who take delight in creating,
And devas who exercise control.
They are still bound by sensual bondage,
They come again under Mara's control.
24. All the world is on fire,
All the world is burning,
All the world is ablaze,
All the world is quaking.
25. That which does not quake or blaze,
That to which worldlings do not resort,
Where there is no place for Mara:
That is where my mind delights."
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Upacala knows me," sad and
disappointed, disappeared right there.

8. Sisupacala
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Sisupacala dressed
... she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day's abiding.
Then Mara the Evil One approached the bhikkhuni Sisupacala and said to her:
"Whose creed do you approve of, bhikkhuni?"
"I don't approve of anyone's creed, friend."
26. "Under whom have you shaved your head?
You do appear to be a recluse,
Yet you don't approve of any creed,
So why wander as if bewildered?"[21]
27. "Outside here the followers of creeds
Place their confidence in views.
I don't approve of their teachings;
They are not skilled in the Dhamma. [134]
28. But there is a scion of the Sakyan clan,
The Enlightened One, without an equal,
Conqueror of all, Mara's subduer,
Who everywhere is undefeated.
29. Everywhere freed and unattached,
The One with Vision who sees all,
Who attained the end of all kamma,
Released in the extinction of acquisitions:
That Blessed One is my Teacher;
His is the teaching I approve."[22]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Sisupacala knows me," sad
and disappointed, disappeared right there.

9. Sela
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Sela dressed ...
she sat down at the foot of a tree for the day's abiding.[23]
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in
the bhikkhuni Sela, desiring to make her fall away from concentration,
approached her and addressed her in verse:
30. "By whom has this puppet been created?
Where is the maker of the puppet?
Where has the puppet arisen?
Where does the puppet cease?"[24]
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Sela: "Now who is this...? This is Mara
the Evil One ... desiring to make me fall away from concentration."
Then the bhikkhuni Sela, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil One,"
replied to him in verses:
31. "This puppet is not made by itself,
Nor is this misery made by another.
It has come to be dependent on a cause,
When the cause dissolves then it will cease.
32. As when a seed is sown in a field
It grows depending on a pair of factors:
It requires both the soil's nutrients
And a steady supply of moisture.
33. Just so the aggregates and elements,
And these six bases of sensory contact,
Have come to be dependent on a cause;
When the cause dissolves they will cease."[25]
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Sela knows me," sad and
disappointed, disappeared right there.